Chicano-Hispanic theatre belongs to an even larger group of Spanish-speaking theatre in the United States. It’s origins date back to the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors during the 16th century, as early as 1598. During the 19th century, San Francisco and Los Angeles were huge centers of Hispanic theatre that sponsored trips from large opera companies even before the gold rush began. By the roaring twenties, Chicano theatre flourished all the way to Chicago. Productions of musical revues, “zarzuelas”, and serious plays that focused on specific Chicano community issues hit the stage. The problems of adapting culturally and linguistically to traditional Anglo-cultures were popular themes. Then the Great depression and WWII hit, and their activity lessened. It picked up again in the 1960’s, coinciding with the civil rights movement. Luis Valdez joined Cesar Chavez and used improvisational theatre to highlight the migrant workers cause. The new Chicano theatre was revolutionary and committed to social change. An entire generation of Chicano writers has picked up since. Many focus on the rich traditions and folklore of their Hispanic roots. It is normal written and performed in peculiar linguistic mixture of Spanish and English. This rich ethnic theatre still flourishes today.
Chicano-Hispanic theatre belongs to an even larger group of Spanish-speaking theatre in the United States. It’s origins date back to the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors during the 16th century, as early as 1598. During the 19th century, San Francisco and Los Angeles were huge centers of Hispanic theatre that sponsored trips from large opera companies even before the gold rush began. By the roaring twenties, Chicano theatre flourished all the way to Chicago. Productions of musical revues, “zarzuelas”, and serious plays that focused on specific Chicano community issues hit the stage. The problems of adapting culturally and linguistically to traditional Anglo-cultures were popular themes. Then the Great depression and WWII hit, and their activity lessened. It picked up again in the 1960’s, coinciding with the civil rights movement. Luis Valdez joined Cesar Chavez and used improvisational theatre to highlight the migrant workers cause. The new Chicano theatre was revolutionary and committed to social change. An entire generation of Chicano writers has picked up since. Many focus on the rich traditions and folklore of their Hispanic roots. It is normal written and performed in peculiar linguistic mixture of Spanish and English. This rich ethnic theatre still flourishes today.